Design is in Jonathan Savage’s blood. Throughout his childhood, the Nashville-based designer’s family was involved in real estate, and, despite studying business in college, Savage couldn’t turn down his creative instincts and soon settled into a career in interior design. After getting his MFA, he worked for David Kleinberg in New York, but the pull of his hometown eventually drew him back to Nashville, where he founded Savage Interior Design. In the time since then, he’s made a name for himself creating interiors that are all about detail (his stairwell at the 45th Kips Bay show house, complete with an intricate wrought-iron railing and custom MJ Atelier wall mural that perfectly fit his challenging, mirrored space, was the talk of the design community). To get an idea of how Savage works, AD PRO shadowed the designer in his native Nashville for a day, complete with good works, smart sourcing, and inspiration aplenty.

6:30 A.M. Wake up with a wet nose—my Little Artie (a Lagotto Romagnolo) nudging for a walk in my West Nashville neighborhood.

8:00 A.M. My better half, Brad (who’s been up for hours at this point), has delivered a Grande dirty chai in a Venti cup, with room, and it’s waiting for me in the kitchen. If I’m feeling my red vino from last night, it ought to be replaced with a greasy biscuit from the Golden Arches.

Savage’s dog, Artie, perched on the designer’s bed.

Photo: Heather Durham Photography

9:30 A.M. I’m at the office, where we have an office meeting and reflection with team Savage for what’s in store for the week: client presentations, installations, etc.

12:00 P.M. Office lunch from the Picnic Cafe. Mine consists of a chicken salad wrap with cranberry salad, washed down with a fruit tea.

2:00 P.M. I stop by Herndon & Merry to see what’s new since my last visit. They are known in the area for the most exquisite architectural metal work, a type of detail I like to work in to my projects (especially historic ones).

Herndon & Merry, a favorite Nashville source.

Photo: Courtesy of Savage Interior Design

4:00 P.M. After a few calls for ongoing projects, I drive out to historic Franklin for an O’More College of Design board meeting. For the past few months we were working on our fourth annual show house. Now that it’s done, we’re already working on plans for 2018!

6:00 P.M. I break for drinks (Bulleit Rye old-fashioned, always with extra cherries) with fellow board members and the board president at the much-loved local spot Cork & Cow.

An entryway by Savage. The designer is known for his exquisite use of architectural detailing.

Photo: Courtesy Savage Interior Design

7:00 P.M. After heading home to Nashville, I stop over at the home of my friend Jane Sloan (an organizer of the Antiques & Garden Show) to pick up a floral bouquet for a special client thank-you. It’s all about the personalized service here in Nashville.

8:00 P.M. Then I’m off to dinner with a few friends for a ham-belly pizza at City House. This particular pizza was voted number 1 pizza in Nashville—always a good idea!

FOLLOW US

Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 5/25/18) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 5/25/18). Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Your California Privacy Rights The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices